North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un has said in a New Year speech that he is ready for war if provoked by “invasive” outsiders.
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“DPRK-South Korea relations and the unification issue should be solved with the very strength of people, according to Korean ethnic nationalism ideology, befitting the (Korean) people’s independent will and demand”, said Kim.
“We managed to become a great nuclear power capable of defending the independence and national dignity of our homeland by mighty nuclear and hydrogen strikes”, Kim Jong-un was quoted as saying by the North Korean central news agency at the time.
On Thursday, North Korea’s state television showed still photos of Kim Jong Un at the wake of Kim Yang Gon.
“The North Korean leader attended the funeral, expressing “bitter grief” and bemoaning the loss of ‘his faithful helper whom nobody can replace, ‘ suggesting an accidental rather than planned death”, Klingner said.
Meagre infrastructure including dark, pot-holed streets in the suburbs where such exclusive parties take place are also to blame, the South Korean daily Joongang Ilbo said. Mr. Jang had been considered North Korea’s No. 2 official, and was responsible for handling North Korea’s relationship with Beijing.
Leader Kim has earned a reputation for ruthlessness after having his uncle executed and sacking other high-ranking officials in a purge to consolidate his reign which began in 2011 when he replaced his father Kim Jong-Il.
The rival Koreas have been showing mixed progress in reconciliation efforts after they stepped away from a military standoff in August, which was touched off by land mine explosions Seoul blamed on Pyongyang that maimed two South Korean soldiers.
“The threat of a nuclear or missile test now has impact in itself, so it appears that (North Korea) will prepare for a nuclear or missile test and watch for the opportune moment while maintaining ambiguity”, it said. “We reached a meaningful agreement during the high-level meeting with Kim this past August”, Hong said in the message. Choe has always been involved in North Korea’s relations with China, and Won in its relations with South Korea.
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Like North Korean leaders over the decades, Kim pledged to develop Pyongyang’s struggling economy and raise living standards. The two countries eventually defused tensions in a series of talks.
